Thermometer Guy

Don't move, says Arthur.

Do I have to keep bending down? asks Terence.

No, but don't go anywhere, says Arthur. I'm heading out for that wave.

You're supposed to watch me, says Terence.

I'll be watching, says Arthur. And you can watch me.

Okay, says Terence.

But he is not going to watch Arthur.

He bends down again to look at the curly thing he was looking at before Arthur told him not to move.

What are you? asks Terence.

The curly thing doesn't answer.

Terence looks up.

Arthur is paddling towards the fast growing wave.

The wave builds towards him.

Sweezus returns with his board.

Okay little buddy?

Yes, says Terence. Arthur's watching me from out there.

Yeah? says Sweezus. And what would he do if something happened?

Like what? asks Terence.

Never mind, says Sweezus. I'm back now.

Arthur has missed the wave, and is now paddling out to the next one.

But the two surfers they met in the car park have caught it.

They drag their boards into the shallows.

Hey! says Fritzy.

Whitey coughs.

Did Arthur leave the TicTacs? asks Sweezus.

No, says Terence.

Going out? asks Fritzy.

Yeah, when my friend comes in, says Sweezus. That's him out there.

I'm whacked, says Whitey.

Me too, says Fritzy. 

Must be the algae, says Sweezus. You guys going?

Nah we might wait a bit and then go back in, says Fritzy.

Sweezus sees a big wave coming, way out there. 

Will Arthur catch it? 

No, Arthur is bobbing up and down.

Could he be coughing?

He might be in trouble, says Sweezus

He's probably just coughing, says Whitey. Like we all are.

Yeah, but he's also got a fever, says Sweezus. 

And a pus-chool, says Terence.

Shit, man, says Fritzy. You better get out there. We'll keep an eye on the kid.

Thanks, says Sweezus, chucking his bodyboard into the shallows.

I'm not a kid, says Terence. I'm the thermometer guy, remember?

Where's your thermometer? asks Fritzy.

Coming on a bicycle, says Terence. So I'm counting dead fish.